System for providing scanning medium

ABSTRACT

A system for providing scanning medium for scanning a volume of tissue comprising: an inner chamber that contains the scanning medium; a transducer mounted to the inner chamber and configured to move along a motion path, with the inner chamber, in scanning the volume of tissue; an outer chamber concentrically aligned about the inner chamber to guide the inner chamber along the motion path; a piston module defining a base surface within the inner chamber, the piston module comprising a medium inlet and a medium outlet for adjusting an amount of the scanning medium within the inner chamber; a detection subsystem coupled to the base surface of the piston module; and an actuator comprising a stationary portion mounted to the piston module and a moving portion coupled to the inner chamber and configured to produce motion of the inner chamber along the motion path.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/029,696 filed 28 Jul. 2014, which is incorporated in its entiretyherein by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to the medical technology field, andmore specifically to a new and useful system for controlling scanningmedium in the medical technology field.

BACKGROUND

Early detection of breast cancer and other types of cancer typicallyresult in a higher survival rate. Despite a widely accepted standard ofmammography screenings for breast cancer detection, there are manyreasons that cancer is often not detected early. One reason is lowparticipation in breast screening, as a result of factors such as fearof radiation and discomfort. In particular, the mammography procedureinvolves compression of the breast tissue between parallel plates toincrease the X-ray image quality by providing a more uniform tissuethickness and stabilizing the tissue. However, this compression istypically uncomfortable, or even painful. Mammography has additionaldrawbacks, such as limited performance among women with dense breasttissue and a high rate of “false alarms” that lead to unnecessarybiopsies that are collectively expensive and result in emotional duressin patients.

Ultrasound tomography is one imaging modality in development that may bea practical alternative to mammography. However, there is a need inultrasound tomography applications to provide a system that controlsprovision of a scanning medium in a robust manner. This inventionprovides such a new and useful system for providing scanning medium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict schematics of embodiments of a system forproviding scanning medium;

FIGS. 2A and 2B depict schematics of embodiments of a patient interfacesystem that interfaces with a system for providing scanning medium;

FIGS. 2C and 2D depict elevation views of a volume of tissue of apatient within a portion of an embodiment of the system for providingscanning medium;

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict specific examples of a portion of an embodimentof a system for providing scanning medium;

FIG. 4A depicts a specific example of two configurations of a system forproviding scanning medium;

FIGS. 4B-4D depict variations of a portion of a system for providingscanning medium;

FIG. 5 depicts specific examples of elements of an embodiment of asystem for providing scanning medium; and

FIG. 6 depicts specific examples of a piston module and detectionsubsystem of an embodiment of a system for providing scanning medium.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of preferred embodiments of the invention isnot intended to limit the invention to these preferred embodiments, butrather to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use thisinvention.

1. System

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, an embodiment of a system 100 for providinga scanning medium in facilitating scanning of a volume of tissue of apatient includes: an inner chamber 110 defining a medium volume forcontainment of the scanning medium 112; a transducer 120 mounted to theinner chamber 110 and configured to move along a motion path, with theinner chamber, in scanning the volume of tissue; an outer chamber 130concentrically aligned about the inner chamber 110 to guide the innerchamber along the motion path; a piston module 140 defining a basesurface 142 within the inner chamber 110, the piston module 140comprising a medium inlet 141 and a medium outlet 142 for adjusting anamount of the scanning medium within the inner chamber; a detectionsubsystem 150 coupled to the base surface of the piston module 140; andan actuator 160 comprising a stationary portion mounted to the pistonmodule, and a moving portion coupled to the inner chamber and configuredto produce motion of the inner chamber along the motion path. The system100 can further comprise a patient support surface 170 coupled to theouter chamber 130 and having an opening that facilitates reception ofthe volume of tissue into the inner chamber 110.

The system 100 functions to control a tissue scanning device (e.g., anultrasound transducer), in communication with a volume of a scanningmedium, in order to facilitate scanning of a volume of tissue submergedin the scanning medium. In particular, the system 100 is configured toenable motion of a chamber containing a scanning medium relative to avolume of tissue of a patient, while preventing leakage of the scanningmedium and other system malfunctions. The system 100 can also functionto facilitate a reduction in the amount of unnecessary scans taken(e.g., due to patient misalignment). In one embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B, the system 100 can be provided along with a patientinterface system 5 configured interface with (e.g., be placed over,surround) the system 100 for providing a scanning medium, which receivesthe volume of tissue extending through an aperture of the patientinterface system. The system 100, as shown in FIG. 2A, can further be incommunication with a controller and a computing system configured toprocess information from the system 100 and render information derivedfrom the system 100 at a display. As shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D,embodiments of the system 100 preferably allow access to a patient'schest wall and axilla, in order to facilitate scanning of a protrudingtissue of the patient (e.g., breast tissue). However, the system 100 canadditionally or alternatively coordinate with any other suitableelement(s) that facilitate scanning of a volume of tissue of a patient.Furthermore, the system 100 is preferably configured to facilitateultrasound scanning of a volume of tissue of a patient, but variationsof the system 100 can additionally or alternatively be configured tofacilitate any other suitable modality of tissue scanning making use ofa scanning medium in which the volume of tissue is at least partiallysubmerged. In variations, the system 100 can include or otherwiseinterface with elements of the patient interface system described inU.S. application Ser. No. 14/208,181 entitled “Patient Interface System”and filed on 13 Mar. 2014, some variations of which are described infurther detail below; however, the system 100 can additionally oralternatively interface with any other suitable element(s) thatfacilitate scanning of a volume of tissue of the patient.

1.1 System—Inner Chamber and Transducer

The inner chamber 110 defines a medium volume for containment of thescanning medium 112 (shown in FIG. 2C), and is preferably mounted to atransducer 120 that scans the volume of tissue along a motion path. Theinner chamber 110 functions to provide a volume of scanning medium thatsurrounds one or more regions of the volume of tissue undergoingscanning, and further to allow actuation of the transducer 120 inrelation to the volume of tissue being scanned. The scanning medium ispreferably water, such that the inner chamber 110 provides a water bathfor acoustic coupling with the volume of tissue in operation; however,the scanning medium can additionally or alternatively comprise any othersuitable acoustic coupling medium that facilitates ultrasound scanning.For instance, the scanning medium can comprise a hydrogel material orany other suitable scanning medium. In variations of the system 100adapted for imaging modalities aside from ultrasound, the scanningmedium can comprise any other suitable scanning medium, oralternatively, the system 100 can omit use of a scanning medium (e.g.,other than air).

The inner chamber 110 preferably defines a substantially cylindricalvolume to contain the scanning medium and to receive the volume oftissue of the patient; however, the inner chamber 110 can alternativelydefine any other suitable volume morphology for scanning mediumcontainment and/or tissue volume reception. The medium volume defined bythe inner chamber 110 is preferably substantially larger (e.g., 5-10×larger) than the volume of tissue intended to be scanned; however, themedium volume can alternatively have any other suitable volumetriccapacity. The inner chamber 110 is further preferably composed of amaterial that is one or more of: able to be sanitized or cleaned (e.g.,after each patient interaction, etc.), resistant to damage by thescanning medium being used (e.g., corrosion proof, corrosion resistant),low friction (e.g., to facilitate motion of the inner chamber 110 duringactuation), and characterized with sufficient mechanical properties(e.g., stiffness, compliance, thermal expansion coefficient, etc.) tosupport the weight of the scanning medium within the inner chamber 110.However, the inner chamber 110 can additionally or alternatively haveany other suitable properties. In a specific example, the inner chamber110 is a cylindrical chamber composed having a low friction andcorrosion-proof inner surface that supports the scanning medium duringactuation of the inner chamber 110 relative to other elements of thesystem 100, and that has a suitable coefficient of thermal expansion tomaintain necessary waterproof seals at interfaces between the innerchamber 110 and other elements of the system 100.

The inner chamber 110 is preferably configured to move along a linearpath, as enabled by the actuator 160 described below, in transmittingthe transducer 120 along a linear motion path. As such, motion of theinner chamber 110, with the transducer 120, in a posterior-anteriordirection relative to a volume of tissue of the user, can enablescanning of an entire volume of tissue of a patient in a consistentmanner. However, the inner chamber 110 can alternatively be configuredto move along any other suitable path(s) in relation to other elementsof the system 100, in facilitating scanning of the patient's tissue. Forinstance, the inner chamber 110 can be guided along a non-linear paththat corresponds to a shape of a volume of tissue being scanned.

The transducer 120 is preferably an ultrasound ring transducercomprising elements configured to emit acoustic signals toward a volumeof tissue within the inner chamber 110 and/or elements configured toreceive acoustic signals (e.g., scattered acoustic signals, reflectedacoustic signals, transmitted acoustic signals, etc.) from the volume oftissue, in order to generate a rendering of the volume of tissue. Theelements of the ring transducer 120 can be configured to form anenclosed perimeter about the volume of tissue (e.g., within a scanningplane), and in one specific example, can form a circular perimeter aboutthe volume of tissue. However, the elements of the transducer 120 canalternatively be configured in any other suitable manner. For instance,the elements can form one or more of: a closed boundary (e.g., polygonalboundary, ellipsoidal boundary, etc.), an open boundary (e.g.,semi-circular boundary, open curvilinear boundary, open linear boundary,etc.), and a surface about the volume of tissue.

In variations of the transducer 120 comprising an ultrasound ringtransducer, the transducer elements can comprise any one or more of:piezoelectric elements, capacitive elements (e.g., capacitivemicromachined ultrasonic transducer elements), and any other type ofultrasound element. However, the transducer 120 can be configured withany other suitable elements that enable generation of a rendering of thevolume of tissue. The transducer 120 can be an embodiment of atransducer 120 as described in one or more of: U.S. application Ser. No.13/368,169 entitled “System and Method for Imaging a Volume of Tissue”and filed on 7 Feb. 2012, U.S. application Ser. No. 13/756,851 entitled“System and Method for Imaging a Volume of Tissue” and filed on 1 Feb.2013, and U.S. application Ser. No. 13/894,202 entitled “System andMethod for Performing an Image-Guided Biopsy” and filed on 14 May 2013,which are each incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference, orany other suitable transducer 120. Furthermore, embodiments of thesystem 100 can additionally or alternatively enable access to andscanning of any other suitable tissue (e.g., non-breast tissue) of apatient.

The transducer 120, in cooperation with motion of the inner chamber 110preferably provides complete access to the volume of tissue beingscanned. For instance, the transducer 120 can be configured to provideaccess to a volume of breast tissue from the nipple region entirely tothe chest wall of the patient. In one variation, the ring transducer 120can be coupled to a superior portion of the inner chamber 110 (e.g., inthe orientation shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B), by way of a transducer mount125, as shown in FIG. 3A. In this variation, the transducer mount 125 orthe inner chamber 110 can circumscribe the other one of the innerchamber 110 and the transducer mount 125, wherein the transducer mount125 couples to the transducer 120 while enabling the volume of tissue toaccess the inner chamber 110, through the transducer 120. Furthermore,the transducer mount 125 can include a set of openings 126 that allowscanning medium drainage and/or prevent scanning medium trapping (e.g.,between elements of the system) as the inner chamber 110 travels alongthe motion path. In a specific example, the transducer mount 125includes a set of openings 126 circumferentially arranged between asuperior portion of the inner chamber 110 and the transducer 120, suchthat scanning medium weeping can occur from a region inferior to thetransducer 120 (in the orientation shown in FIG. 1B). The set ofopenings 126 can, however, be arranged relative to the transducer 120,the transducer mount 125, and the inner chamber 110 in any othersuitable manner.

Additionally, in variations wherein the transducer 120 is configured tomove along a motion path (e.g., as enabled with the inner chamber), thering transducer 120 can be electrically coupled to a control module forthe system by way of an electromechanical coupler 127 (e.g., cablecarrier), as shown in FIG. 3B, configured to enable motion of the ringtransducer while providing consistent electrical communication betweenthe transducer 120 and the control module. However, the inner chamber110, the transducer 120, and/or the transducer mount 125 canalternatively be configured in any other suitable manner. Furthermore,in relation to the volume of scanning medium within the inner chamber110, the volume of scanning medium can be adjusted as the transducer 120moves along the motion path by way of a medium inlet 141 and/or a mediumoutlet 142 (as described in further detail below). For instance, in onevariation, the system 100 can be configured to increase a level of thescanning medium within the inner chamber 110 as the transducer 120 movesin a superior direction, and the system 100 can be configured todecrease the level of the scanning medium within the inner chamber 110as the transducer 120 moves in an inferior direction. As such, thisvariation, motion of the transducer 120 can be coordinated with thelevel of scanning medium within the inner chamber, in providing scanningmedium that surrounds the volume of tissue in operation. Additionally oralternatively, the system 100 can be configured to maintain asubstantially constant volume of the scanning medium within the innerchamber 110.

1.2 System—Outer Chamber

The outer chamber 130 is configured to surround at least a portion ofthe inner chamber 120, and functions to guide the inner chamber alongthe motion path, in facilitating scanning of the volume of tissue.Preferably, the outer chamber 130 is concentrically aligned about theinner chamber 110; however, the outer chamber 130 and the inner chamber110 can have any other suitable alternative relationship in relation tosurrounding of the inner chamber 110. Similar to the inner chamber 110,the outer chamber 130 preferably defines a substantially cylindricalvolume that surrounds the inner chamber 110; however, the outer chamber130 can alternatively define any other suitable volume morphology thatallows the inner chamber 110 to be guided along the motion path. Theouter chamber 130 is preferably a substantially stationary element ofthe system, and as such, is preferably not coupled to the actuator 160described below; however, the outer chamber 130 can alternatively beconfigured to move along any suitable path(s) in relation to otherelements of the system 100, in facilitating scanning of the patient'stissue.

The outer chamber 130 preferably defines a region 131, as shown in FIG.4A, that is at least partially isolated from the scanning medium. Invariations, the region 131 can be defined between the inner chamber 110and the outer chamber 130, and in one variation, the interior wall(e.g., cylindrical wall) of the outer chamber 130 can be displaced fromthe exterior wall (e.g., cylindrical wall) of the inner chamber no(e.g., by a constant offset) to define the region 131. As such, in theexample shown in FIG. 4A, an annular prismatic (e.g., circular annularprismatic) region 131 between the outer chamber 130 and the innerchamber 110 can be isolated from scanning medium within the innerchamber 110, thus providing a “dry” space for electrical couplingelements (e.g., an electromechanical coupler 127 and/or any otherelements of the system suited for a dry environment. In one variation,as shown in FIG. 4A, electrical circuitry and electrical couplingelements of the transducer ring 120 can be configured to pass into anannular prismatic “dry” region defined by the outer chamber 130, thusisolating them from the scanning medium. To further promote dryness inthe region 131 defined between the outer chamber 130 and the innerchamber 110, the outer chamber 130 can be coupled to or otherwise incommunication with any suitable heating elements to heat the region 131and evaporate any moisture within the region 131. Additionally oralternatively, the region 131 can include a desiccant material (e.g.,silica gel) that absorbs moisture in the event that moisture from thescanning medium enters the region 131.

In variations wherein the outer chamber 130 defines a region 131isolated from the scanning medium, at least one of the inner chamber110, the transducer piston 125 coupled to the transducer ring 120, andthe outer chamber 130 can include a seal 134, as shown in FIG. 1B,configured circumferentially about a surface of one or more of: theinner chamber 110, the transducer mount 125, and the outer chamber 130to provide a hermetic seal that prevents fluid leakage into the region131.

In one variation, as shown in FIG. 4A, the transducer mount 125 caninclude a circumferential groove 128 a at an outer surface configured toreceive an X-ring seal 134 a that does not roll during motion of theinner chamber 110, while providing a hermetic seal between the outerchamber 130 and the transducer mount 125. As such, the seal 134 a inthis configuration is indirectly coupled to the inner chamber 110 and incontact with the outer chamber 130, to isolate the region 131 definedbetween the outer chamber 130 and the inner chamber 110 from thescanning medium as the inner chamber moves along the motion path.However, in alternatives of this variation, the seal 134 can be directlycoupled between the inner chamber 110 and the outer chamber 130 inisolating the region 131 from scanning medium.

In another variation, as shown in FIG. 4B, the inner chamber 110 caninclude a circumferential groove 128 b at an outer surface configured toreceive an O-ring or X-ring seal 134 b that provides a hermetic sealduring motion of the inner chamber 110 along the motion path.Additionally or alternatively, in yet another variation, as shown inFIG. 4C, the outer chamber 130 can include a circumferential groove 128c about an inner surface configured to receive an O-ring or X-ring seal134 c that provides a hermetic seal during motion of the inner chamber110 (while the outer chamber 130 and its O-ring/X-ring are substantiallystationary). The system 100 can, however, include any other suitablevariation of the seal 134 in isolating the region 131 defined betweenthe outer chamber 130 and the inner chamber 110 from the scanningmedium. As such, the seal 134 can be configured to move with the innerchamber 110 along the motion path, or can be configured to be stationaryduring motion of the inner chamber 110 (e.g., relative to the pistonmodule 140 and the outer chamber 130), one example of which is shown inFIG. 4D.

Additionally or alternatively, the system 100 can include any othersuitable sealing elements (e.g., sealing compounds, rolling diaphragms,etc.) configured to provide a hermetic seal to define a volume isolatedfrom scanning medium within the inner chamber 110. Furthermore, surfacesof the outer chamber 130, transducer mount 125, inner chamber 110,and/or any other element of the system 100 involved in forming theisolated “dry” region 131 are preferably processed to reduce surfaceroughness, thereby reducing sliding friction produced between elements.In a specific example, such surfaces can be nickel-plated with Teflonimpregnation; however, variations of the specific example can includeany other suitable surface treatments or use of materials (e.g.,stainless steel, plastic) that reduces sliding friction. Furthermore,the outer chamber 110, transducer mount 125, and/or the inner chamber110 can alternatively be configured in any other suitable manner.

1.3 System—Piston Module and Detection Subsystem

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the piston module 140 defines a basesurface within the inner chamber 110, and can comprise a medium inlet141 and a medium outlet 142 that enable inflow and outflow of thescanning medium into and from the inner chamber 110. In some variations,the piston module 140 can additionally or alternatively be coupled to adetection subsystem 150.

The piston module 140 functions to facilitate regulation of an amount ofscanning medium within the inner chamber 110, and can additionally oralternatively function to facilitate sensing/indication of environmentalparameters related to the system no. The piston module 140 is preferablya stationary element of the system 100, such that the inner chamber 110moves about a stationary piston module iv; however, the piston module140 can alternatively be configured to move along any suitable path. Forinstance, the piston module 140 can move, with the inner chamber 110, inmodulating a level of the scanning medium within the inner chamber 110.Furthermore, the piston module 140 preferably defines an inferior basesurface within the inner chamber 110, but can additionally oralternatively define any other suitable surface in relation to the innerchamber 110.

An interface 40 between the piston module 140 and the inner chamber 110is preferably hermetically sealed to facilitate containment of thescanning medium within the inner chamber 110. In particular, theinterface between the piston module and the inner chamber is preferablyhermetically sealed as the inner chamber moves along the motion path,such that the scanning medium does not leak from the inner chamber asthe inner chamber 110 moves along the motion path. As such, the pistonmodule 140 and/or the inner chamber 110 can include elements thatfacilitate generation of a hermetic seal at a junction between the innerchamber 110 and the piston module 140. In a first variation, the pistonmodule 140 comprises a circumferential groove 147 a at an exteriorportion of the piston module 140 configured to receive an X-ring or anO-ring seal 143 a that provides a hermetic seal to contain the scanningmedium during motion of the inner chamber 110. However, the pistonmodule 140 and/or the inner chamber 110 can be configured to provide ahermetic seal with any other alternative or additional elements (e.g.,sealing compounds, rolling diaphragms, etc.). Surfaces of the pistonmodule 140 and/or the inner chamber 110 are preferably processed toreduce surface roughness, thereby reducing sliding friction producedbetween elements. In a specific example, similar to that described abovein relation to relative motion of the inner chamber 100 and the outerchamber 130, such surfaces can be nickel-plated with Teflonimpregnation; however, variations of the specific example can includeany other suitable surface treatments or use of materials (e.g.,stainless steel, plastic) that reduces sliding friction. Furthermore,the piston module 140 and/or the inner chamber 110 can alternatively beconfigured in any other suitable manner.

The medium inlet 141 is preferably an opening into the inner chamber 110through the piston module 140, and functions to enable inflow of thescanning medium into the inner chamber 110. As such, in the orientationshown in FIGS. 4A and 5, the medium inlet 141 allows the inner chamber110 to be filled from an inferior (e.g., bottom) portion of the innerchamber 110. However, medium inlet 141 can additionally or alternativelybe configured to deliver scanning medium into any other suitable portionof the inner chamber (e.g., through a vertical wall of the innerchamber, etc.). In variations wherein the medium inlet 141 is an openingof the piston module 140, the medium inlet 141 can be defined throughthe thickness of the piston module 140, or can alternatively define anopening into the inner chamber 110 in any other suitable manner.Preferably, the medium inlet 141 is positioned at a peripheral region ofthe piston module 140, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 5. However, the mediuminlet 141 can alternatively be positioned at any other suitablenon-peripheral region of the piston module 140.

As shown in FIG. 5, the medium inlet 141 is preferably a valved opening,and preferably comprises a check valve 144 configured to preventbackflow (e.g., of contaminated scanning medium) of contents of theinner chamber 110 from the inner chamber 110 in a reverse direction.However, the medium inlet 141 can alternatively omit a valve or canprevent backflow in any other suitable manner. In some variations, asshown in FIG. 6, the medium inlet 141 can be configured to transmit thescanning medium through a fitting 145 that directs the scanning mediumlaterally into the inner chamber 110, thereby preventing a verticalstream of scanning fluid into the inner chamber that can disturb thescanning process, wherein the fitting 145 also functions to trap airbubbles that may be generated during scanning of the volume of tissue ofthe patient. However, the medium inlet 141 can be configured to transmitthe scanning medium through any other fitting that directs fluid flow inany other suitable manner, or can be configured to transmit the scanningmedium without a fitting.

Similar to the medium inlet 141, the medium outlet 142 is preferably anopening from the inner chamber 110 through the piston module 140, andfunctions to enable outflow of the scanning medium from the innerchamber 110. As such, in the orientation shown in FIGS. 4A and 5, themedium outlet 142 allows the inner chamber 110 to be drained from aninferior (e.g., bottom) portion of the inner chamber 110. However,medium outlet 142 can additionally or alternatively be configured toallow outflow of scanning medium from any other suitable portion of theinner chamber (e.g., through a vertical wall of the inner chamber,etc.). In variations wherein the medium outlet 142 is an opening throughthe piston module 140, the medium outlet 142 can be defined through thethickness of the piston module 140, or can alternatively define anopening from the inner chamber 110 in any other suitable manner.Preferably, the medium outlet 142 is positioned at a peripheral regionof the piston module 140, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 5. However, themedium outlet 142 can alternatively be positioned at any other suitablenon-peripheral region of the piston module 140. Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 5, the medium outlet 142 can be in communication with a check valve144 b that prevents potentially contaminated scanning medium frombackflowing into the system 100.

In some variations, a surface of the piston module 140 facing theinterior of the inner chamber 110 can be configured to direct fluid flowtoward the medium outlet 142, for instance, by providing a gradedsurface. The medium outlet 142 is preferably an opening with filteringcapacity, and preferably comprises a strainer washer 146 configured toprevent undesired material within the inner chamber 110 from passingthrough the medium outlet 142, as shown in FIG. 6. As such, the strainerwasher 146 prevents clogging of elements downstream of the medium outlet142. However, the medium outlet 142 can alternatively omit a strainingor filtering element. In some variations, the medium outlet 142 can beconfigured to cooperate with a fitting that prevents undesired fluidflow from the inner chamber, which can interfere with scanning of thevolume of tissue. In one such variation, as shown in FIG. 6, the fittingcan comprise an anti-vortex drain fitting 147 having a slotted openingthat prevents fluid eddies from forming and prevents the fitting fromdrawing in air. As such, the anti-vortex drain fitting 147 canaccelerate fluid drainage from the inner chamber 110 and trap airbubbles that may be generated during scanning of the volume of tissue ofthe patient. However, the medium outlet 142 can be configured totransmit the scanning medium from the inner chamber 110 through anyother fitting that directs fluid flow in any other suitable manner, orcan be configured to transmit the scanning medium without a fitting.

The piston module 140 can define multiple medium inlets and/or multiplemedium outlets in regulating an amount of scanning medium within theinner chamber 110. Additionally or alternatively, one or more openingsinto the chamber can be configured to function as both a medium inlet141 and a medium outlet 142 in a bi-functional manner. Furthermore, themedium inlet(s) 141 and/or the medium outlet(s) 142 can be routedthrough structural elements of the system (e.g., hollow support legs 148coupled to an inferior surface of the piston module 140), forcompactness of the system 100. In a specific example, as shown in FIG.4A, the piston module 140 comprises two medium inlets 141 and a singlemedium outlet 142, wherein the medium inlets 141 and the medium outlet142 are routed through three hollow support legs 148, respectivelycoupled the piston module 140, wherein a fourth support leg providesrouting of electrical components (e.g., wiring) to support the detectionsubsystem 150 of the piston module 140.

Furthermore, in relation to the amount of scanning medium within theinner chamber 110, the medium inlet(s) 141 and/or the medium outlet(s)142 can be configured to cooperate with a manifold 149 fluidly coupledto the medium inlet(s) 141 and the medium outlet(s) 142 and incommunication with a fluid handling system that transmits scanningmedium into the medium inlet(s) 141 and out from the medium outlet(s)142, as shown in FIG. 3A. In a specific example, the manifold 149 can bewelded to fluid conduits into the medium inlet(s) 141 and to fluidconduits into the medium outlet(s) 142 of the piston module 140, asshown in FIGS. 1B and 4A. Furthermore, in the specific example, fluiddelivery into the manifold 149 can involve the use of valves (e.g.,drain check valves) to prevent backflow of fluid into any portion of thesystem 100 in an undesired manner, as shown in FIG. 5.

As indicated above, an amount of scanning medium within the innerchamber 110 can be configured to decrease as the inner chamber 110 andcoupled ring transducer 120 move in a superior-to-inferior direction(e.g., in relation to the ground), such that scanning medium is onlyprovided up to the region of the volume of tissue currently beingscanned. In one such specific example, an amount of scanning mediumwithin the inner chamber 110 can be configured to decrease at a rate of1 gallon per inch of travel along a motion path of 6.5 inches in thesuperior-to-inferior-direction in relation to the ground, as thetransducer 120 moves in the superior-to-inferior direction. However, theamount of scanning medium can be maintained within the inner chamber noduring scanning of the volume of tissue. In one such variation, thescanning medium can be pumped into and drained from the inner chamber110 as the inner chamber 110 moves in a superior-to-inferior directionand an inferior-to-superior direction, respectively. In another suchvariation, a surface (e.g., base surface) within the inner chamber 110can be configured to move in opposition to motion of the inner chamber110, thereby maintaining a level of the scanning medium within the innerchamber 110. In yet another variation, the inner chamber 110 can containa bladder of scanning medium that is filled with scanning medium as theinner chamber 110 moves in a superior-to-inferior direction. Yetalternatively, an amount of scanning medium within the inner chamber 110can be configured to provide any suitable level of medium in relation tothe volume of tissue being scanned, as the inner chamber 110 and coupledtransducer 120 move in a superior-to-inferior direction, aninferior-to-superior direction, or along any other suitable motion path.

As shown in FIGS. 1B and 6, the detection subsystem 150 is incommunication with the interior of the inner chamber 110 and coupled tothe piston module 140, and functions to enable environmental sensingwithin the inner chamber 110. Preferably, the detection subsystem 150enables one or more of optical sensing of events within the innerchamber 110 and temperature sensing within the inner chamber 110. Assuch, the detection subsystem 150 can include an optical sensor 151(e.g., of a camera) and/or a temperature sensor 152 configured to facethe interior of the inner chamber 110. In one such variation, thedetection subsystem 150 comprises an optical sensor 151 fluidly isolatedfrom scanning medium within the inner chamber 110, but able to detectevents within the inner chamber 110 by way of a transparent covering 153that provides fluid isolation but light transmission. As such, theoptical sensor 151 of this variation is configured to enable a volume oftissue within the inner chamber 110 to be observed (e.g., in relation topositioning of the volume of tissue within the inner chamber, etc.)during operation of the system 100. The optical sensor 151 can beconfigured to provide video footage and/or still images of the interiorof the inner chamber 110 (e.g., during operation, etc.); however, theoptical sensor 151 can alternatively be configured to provide any othersuitable type of image data of the interior of the inner chamber 110.

The detection subsystem 150 can additionally or alternatively compriseindicators configured to indicate proper function of any element of thedetection subsystem 150 and/or other elements of the system 100. In onesuch variation, as shown in FIG. 6, the detection system can include aset of light emitters 154 (e.g., LEDs) fluidly isolated from scanningmedium within the inner chamber 110, but able to detect events withinthe inner chamber 110 by way of a transparent covering 153 that providesfluid isolation but light transmission. As such, the set of lightemitters 154 can be configured proximal the optical sensor 151 fortransmission of light through the transparent covering 153. In thisvariation, the set of light emitters 154 can function as indicators(e.g., of proper function of the system 100, of improper function of thesystem 100), or can additionally or alternatively function to provideillumination that facilitates optical sensing by the optical sensor 151of the detection subsystem 150.

As noted above, the detection subsystem 150 can additionally oralternatively include a temperature sensor 152 that is in thermalcommunication with the interior of the inner chamber 110, therebyenabling detection of thermal conditions within the inner chamber 110and/or temperature regulation of contents (e.g., scanning medium) of theinner chamber 110. In variations of the detection subsystem 150comprising a temperature sensor 152, the temperature sensor ispreferably configured proximal at least one of the medium inlet 141 andthe medium outlet 142, thereby enabling detection of a temperature ofthe scanning medium as it enters/leaves the inner chamber 110. However,the temperature sensor can alternatively be configured away from themedium inlet 141 and/or the medium outlet 142, thereby enablingdetection of an ambient temperature within the inner chamber 110. Assuch, the detection subsystem 150 can comprise multiple temperaturesensors 152 configured to provide holistic information regardingtemperature within regions of the inner chamber 110.

In a specific example, as shown in FIG. 6, the detection subsystem 150comprises an optical sensor 151 centrally located within a recess 156 ofa superior surface of the piston module 140, wherein the recess iscovered by a transparent covering 153 (e.g., glass covering, plasticcovering) that hermetically seals the optical sensor from scanningmedium within the inner chamber 110 by way of a set of face-sealingO-rings. In the specific example, the detection module 150 comprises anarray of light emitting diodes 154 (LEDs) surrounding the optical sensorand configured to indicate proper/improper function of the sensors ofthe detection subsystem 150, wherein the set of LEDs is also locatedproximal the optical sensor 151 within the recess. Furthermore, thedetection subsystem 150 of the specific example comprises a temperaturesensor 152 partially embedded at a superior surface of the piston module140, proximal the medium outlet 142, thereby enabling detection of atemperature of the scanning medium within the inner chamber 110.Furthermore, the optical sensor 151 is configured to transmit an imagedataset of the volume of tissue, during scanning, to a computing system,and the temperature sensor 152 is configured to transmit a temperaturedataset associated with the scanning medium to the computing system.Thus, the computing system of the example can process the image datasetand the temperature dataset and generate an analysis, and provideinformation derived from the analysis to an entity associated with thepatient. Other variations and examples of the detection subsystem 150can, however, be configured in any other suitable manner relative to thepiston module 140.

Furthermore, the detection subsystem 150 can include any other suitablesensor modules configured to detect parameters of the scanning mediumand/or environmental conditions within the inner chamber 110.Additionally or alternatively, the detection subsystem 150, the innerchamber 110, and/or any other suitable elements of the system 100 incommunication with the inner chamber 110 can facilitate retention of thevolume of tissue in position during scanning.

1.4 System—Actuator and Patient Interface

The actuator 160 comprises a stationary portion 161 mounted to thepiston module 140, and a moving portion 162 coupled to the inner chamber110 and configured to produce motion of the inner chamber along themotion path. The actuator 160 functions to enable positioning of theinner chamber 110, with the scanning medium and the transducer 120,relative to the volume of tissue being scanned in a controllable manner.The moving portion 162 of the actuator 160 is preferably a linearactuator that produces vertical motion of the inner chamber 110 andcoupled transducer 120 along a vertical axis, such that the innerchamber 110 can move in a superior-to-inferior direction and aninferior-to-superior direction (e.g., in relation to the ground) alongthe vertical axis. However, the actuator 160 can be configured toproduce motion along any other suitable motion path (e.g., a non-linearmotion path, a motion path in multiple coordinate directions).Furthermore, the moving portion 162 can be coupled to plates that couplethe moving portion 162 to electronic components of the system (e.g.,electromechanical coupler 127, wires, etc.). In a first variation, theactuator 160 comprises a motor and lead screw mechanism, as the movingportion 162 coupled to the inner chamber 110, that provides motion ofthe inner chamber 110 and coupled transducer 120 along a vertical axis.In another variation, the moving portion 162 of the actuator 160 isconfigured to produce motion hydraulically. In yet another variation,the actuator 160 can comprise a scissor lift, as the moving portion 162,that produces linear motion. However, other variations of the actuator160 can be configured to produce motion by any other suitable mechanism.

Travel along the motion path can be controlled using any one or more oflimit switches, position encoders, and any other suitable element thattracks motion. For instance, the actuator 160 can be configured tocooperate with one or more limit switches that govern endpoints of themotion path, wherein the endpoints can be adjustable. Additionally oralternatively, the actuator 160 can be configured to cooperate with aposition encoder (e.g., linear encoder, rotary encoder, Hall-effectsensor, etc.) configured to enable identification of a position oftravel along the motion path. The actuator 160 can, however, beconfigured to cooperate with any other suitable element in order toproduce motion along the motion path in a controllable manner.Furthermore, in some variations, a base 166 of the actuator 160 can becoupled to an adjustable mount that allows the actuator 160 to bepositioned in a plane (e.g., an X-Y plane) and/or allows adjustment ofpitch/yaw of the actuator 160.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the stationary portion 161 of the actuator 160 ispreferably mounted to the piston module 140, such that the piston module140 is substantially fixed in space. As such, the stationary portion 161of actuator 160 preferably couples the piston module 140 to a supportstructure of the system 100, and in variations of the system 100including a manifold 149, the stationary portion 161 can couple thepiston module 140 to the manifold 149. However, the stationary portion161 can additionally or alternatively couple the piston module 140 toany other suitable portion of the system 100 that is substantiallynon-moving. Furthermore, the moving portion 162 of the actuator 160 ispreferably mounted to the inner chamber (e.g., using a coupling plate),such that the inner chamber 110 and coupled transducer 120 can movealong the motion path enabled by the actuator 160. As such, the pistonmodule 140 preferably does not move as the inner chamber 110 moves alongthe motion path, while hermetic seals are maintained using elements asdescribed above. However, variations of the actuator 160 canalternatively produce motion of any or both of the inner chamber 110 andthe piston module 140.

In some variations, the actuator 160 can be coupled to the inner chamber110 and/or other moving elements of the system 100 with one or moreisolation mounts 165 that allow motion in at least one direction orplane, while constraining other forms of motion. For instance, in onevariation, as shown in FIG. 4A, the inner chamber 110 can be coupled toperipherally located isolation mounts 165 which are coupled to themoving portion of the actuator 160 (e.g., using a plate coupler),wherein the isolation mounts 165 allow the inner chamber 110 to “float”laterally with some freedom while constraining motion of the innerchamber 110 along a vertical axis (in the orientation shown in FIG. 4A).In this variation, such a configuration prevents the piston module 140from being over constrained and/or binding during motion of the innerchamber 110. Other variations of the system 100 can include isolationmounts 165 coupled to any other suitable element of the system (e.g.,the outer chamber 130, as shown in FIG. 3B) in order to allow freedom ofmotion in one or more directions, while constraining motion of others.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the system 100 can further comprise apatient support surface 170 coupled to the outer chamber 130 and havingan opening 172 (as shown in FIG. 3B) that facilitates reception of thevolume of tissue into the inner chamber 110. The patient support surface170 is preferably configured to interface with a patient interfacesystem that receives a prone patient in a configuration that allowsprotruding tissue of the patient to enter the opening of the patientsupport surface 170 for scanning. As such, in some embodiments, thesystem 100 can interface with the patient interface system described inU.S. application Ser. No. 14/208,181, entitled “Patient InterfaceSystem” and filed on 13 Mar. 2014, which is incorporated herein in itsentirety by this reference; however, the system 100 can additionally oralternatively be configured to interface with any other suitable systemto facilitate scanning of a volume of tissue protruding from a patient'sbody. In some variations, wherein the patient support surface 170 isconfigured to interface with a variation of the patient interface systemdescribed in U.S. application Ser. No. 14/208,181, the patient supportsurface 170 can comprise a frustoconical surface with a centrallylocated opening 172 that aligns with the patient interface system andfacilitates reception of the volume of tissue. In a specific example,the patient support surface 170 can be welded to the outer chamber 130with face-sealing rings (e.g., O-rings) to provide a hermetic sealagainst scanning medium that leaves the inner chamber and enters aregion defined by the patient support surface; however, the patientsupport surface 170 can alternatively be coupled to any other element(s)of the system 100 in any other suitable manner.

Embodiments of the system 100 can include any other suitable elementsthat facilitate provision of scanning medium and a transducer 120 toenable scanning of a volume of tissue of a patient in a controlledmanner. For instance, system 100 can include one or more level sensorsthat facilitate identification of one or more amounts of scanning mediumwithin the system 100. In one example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the system100 can include a first level sensor 176 in communication with an inletinto the inner chamber 110, and a second level sensor 177 coupled to apatient support surface 170, such that the first level sensor 176enables identification of an empty state and the second level sensor 177enables identification of a full state in relation to scanning mediumwithin the inner chamber. The level sensors can, however, be coupled toor otherwise able to detect a level of the scanning medium in any othersuitable manner.

In some variations, an example of which is shown in FIG. 3A, the system100 can additionally or alternatively include a chamber 178, coupledabout one or more of the inner chamber 110, the outer chamber 130, andthe patient support surface 170, that functions as a reservoir forsplash overflow protection, in the event that scanning medium enters aregion of the system 100 in an undesirable manner. As such, in theexample, the chamber 178 can capture any portion of the scanning mediumthat spills over the patient support surface 170, thereby preventingscanning medium from adversely affecting other components of the system100. The system 100 can, however, include any other suitable element(s).

Embodiments of the system 100 and variations thereof can be embodiedand/or implemented at least in part by a machine configured to receive acomputer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions. Theinstructions are preferably executed by computer-executable componentspreferably integrated with the system 100 and one or more portions of aprocessor and/or a controller. The computer-readable medium can bestored on any suitable computer-readable media such as RAMs, ROMs, flashmemory, EEPROMs, optical devices (CD or DVD), hard drives, floppydrives, or any suitable device. The computer-executable component ispreferably a general or application specific processor, but any suitablededicated hardware or hardware/firmware combination device canalternatively or additionally execute the instructions.

The FIGURES illustrate the architecture, functionality and operation ofpossible implementations of systems, methods and computer programproducts according to preferred embodiments, example configurations, andvariations thereof. In this regard, each block in a flowchart or blockdiagram may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, whichcomprises one or more executable instructions for implementing thespecified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in somealternative implementations, the functions noted in the block can occurout of the order noted in the FIGURES. For example, two blocks shown insuccession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or theblocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending uponthe functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware andcomputer instructions.

As a person skilled in the art will recognize from the previous detaileddescription and from the figures and claims, modifications and changescan be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention withoutdeparting from the scope of this invention defined in the followingclaims.

We claim:
 1. A system for providing a scanning medium for scanning avolume of tissue of a patient, the system comprising: an inner chamberconfigured to contain the scanning medium; a transducer that moves alonga motion path, with the inner chamber, in scanning the volume of tissue,the transducer including an array of ultrasound elements that scan thevolume of tissue in operation; an outer chamber concentrically alignedabout the inner chamber to guide the inner chamber along the motionpath, a seal coupled to the inner chamber and in contact with the outerchamber, wherein the seal isolates a region defined between the outerchamber and the inner chamber from the scanning medium as the innerchamber moves along the motion path; a piston module having a basesurface within the inner chamber, the piston module including a mediuminlet and a medium outlet for adjusting an amount of the scanning mediumwithin the inner chamber; and an actuator module comprising 1) astationary portion mounted to the piston module, and 2) a moving portioncoupled to the inner chamber and configured to produce motion of theinner chamber along the motion path.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein asuperior region of the outer chamber is mounted to a frustoconicalpatient interface surface including an aperture configured to receivethe volume of tissue during operation, and wherein the frustoconicalpatient interface surface is coupled to a chamber that receives anoverflow volume of the scanning medium.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein the seal is coupled within a circumferential groove of atransducer mount that couples the inner chamber to the transducer,wherein the seal is configured to move, with the inner chamber, alongthe motion path relative to the outer chamber.
 4. The system of claim 3,wherein the transducer mount includes a set of openingscircumferentially arranged between a superior portion of the innerchamber and the transducer, the set of openings configured to allow thescanning medium to weep from a region inferior to the transducer.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the transducer is mounted to a superiorportion of the inner chamber, and wherein the inner chamber and the ringtransducer are configured to move along a posterior-to-anterior axis ofthe volume of tissue in a first operation mode.
 6. The system of claim1, further comprising a controller that coordinates inflow and outflowof the scanning medium within the inner chamber, with motion of theinner chamber along the motion path, by way of the medium inlet and themedium outlet.
 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a detectionsubsystem coupled to the base surface of the piston module andcomprising 1) an optical sensor module fluidly isolated from thescanning medium within the inner chamber and 2) a temperature sensorproximal at least one of the medium inlet and the medium outlet.
 8. Thesystem of claim 7, wherein the optical sensor module is configured totransmit an image dataset of the volume of tissue, during scanning, to acomputing system, wherein the temperature sensor is configured totransmit a temperature dataset associated with the scanning medium tothe computing system, and wherein the computing system is configured toprovide an analysis derived from the image dataset and the temperaturedataset to an entity associated with the patient.
 9. The system of claim8, further comprising an array of light emitters surrounding the opticalsensor module and configured to indicate proper function of the system,wherein the optical sensor module and the array of light emitters areisolated from the scanning medium within the inner chamber by way of atransparent covering mounted to the piston module.
 10. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the medium inlet comprises a fitting that directs thescanning medium laterally into the inner chamber, and wherein the mediumoutlet is in communication with an anti-vortex fitting that preventsgeneration of a fluid eddy as the scanning medium is drained from theinner chamber.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein an interface betweenthe piston module and the inner chamber is hermetically sealed as theinner chamber moves along the motion path, and wherein the piston moduleis substantially stationary as the inner chamber moves along the motionpath in operation.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the regiondefined between the outer chamber and the inner chamber and hermeticallysealed by the seal is an annular prismatic region that houses electricalcoupling elements in communication with the transducer.